Karan Thakkar

Computer engineering student focused on automating vehicles and creating unmanned systems.
Pursuing the intersection of innovation, robotics, and machine learning to develop next-generation technology.


Projects
Central Computer Module

January 2025 – Present


Developed a central firmware board to integrate data from 8+ sensors and implemented a FreeRTOS-based state machine to control the driving motor, regenerative braking, and traction. Optimized data caching and PID control, reducing processing latency by 30% in high-performance racing conditions.



Hermite Quintic Trajectory Follower

January 2024 – April 2024


Developed autonomous trajectories in Java with real-time path correction and implemented PID + FF controllers, increasing setpoint stability by 40% through motion profiling. Built a React-based GUI for rapid trajectory adjustments and optimized waypoint interpolation using a 5th-degree polynomial to maximize physical constraints.




Experience

Embedded Software Engineer

Anteater Electric Racing

September 2024 – Present


Designing a lightweight PID library that reduces computation time by 20% and velocity error to <5%, while writing real-time C++ software for CAN-based data acquisition on Teensy 4.0/4.1


Lead Programming Instructor

Code Ninjas

February 2022 – July 2024


Tripled graduation rates through one-on-one mentorship and weekly sessions, managed 40+ students (ages 4-15) in a collaborative learning environment, and taught JavaScript and C# through a structured Unity game development course


President and Software Lead

FIRST Robotics Team #2658

August 2020 – June 2024


Led a team of 125+ students to build a life-sized competition robot, secured $20,000 in sponsorships to boost resources by 62%, and optimized workflows to increase manufacturing speed by 30%.




© 2025 Karan Thakkar. All rights reserved.